I had a discussion with someone recently and as she shared her story with me, it appeared she will be needing a lot of help. She said, Pastor, at this point you can take advantage of my vulnerability, anything you ask me or tell me to do I will do.”
At this point, I paused, I smiled and later laughed so she could hear my laughter.
Then I said, “ I will never ever take advantage of your vulnerability because I have been there before and people have taken advantage of my vulnerability too, so I wouldn’t do it.”
This lady stated that people had extorted a lot of money from her in the past, promising to help her. She had sold gold jewelries in a bid to get help.
I told her as long as the Lord helps me, I will do my best.
Now: my question is this:
Have you taken advantage of people’s vulnerability? Because you have access to certain information about them , you decide to drag them down or deny them access to certain things.
I met a lady sometimes in church, this lady never came with her husband, and one day we got talking and she said she was divorced, but she mentioned that she would never give that piece of information to her pastor. I said , but why? She said she learned her lessons over the years that it’s not worth sharing such details in the church because her pastor in the past had used it against her. Even church members too, they treated her as though she carried a plague. So what did she tell her pastor now? She said she told him her husband lives in another country.
I have been there too, when you are vulnerable with issues that you are going through or even certain details about you, some people choose to dance on those details and begin to misbehave.
We are complaining of high rate of depression, anxiety, suicide.. Why won’t there be? When people can no longer be trusted with details shared with them . At the slightest opportunity we take advantage of their situation. To take advantage of people’s vulnerability is complete distrust and lack of empathy.
I want to encourage those who have been vulnerable with their stories that you are being authentic, you are courageous and you are human.
I applaud you because you are not painting a picture perfect life but stating that it is human to be imperfect ( unfortunately many people paint pictures perfect stories and situations).
Vulnerability actually connects us to and with other people and it can open doors to be a blessing to others.
Continue to be your authentic self and never be afraid to be vulnerable!!
